Written questions by Paffey.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate co-operation under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 between local authorities in cases of domestic abuse.

This government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and supporting victims of domestic abuse.Since 2021, local authorities in England have had a duty to ensure that all victims and their children who need to flee their homes have access to support within safe accommodation when they need it.MHCLG statutory guidance is clear that tier one local authorities should work collaboratively with tier two and neighbouring local authorities to develop a shared understanding of need, including for victims who need to flee their local area for their safety.The government has raised total funding for this duty to £160 million in 2025/26, to enable local authorities in England to expand these essential services for victims of domestic abuse.MHCLG regularly runs workshops with the Local Government Association to support local authorities to deliver their duties effectively. In addition, I am establishing a new Domestic Abuse Housing Group, co-chaired by the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, to maintain oversight and ensure that councils have the support they need to deliver their duty requirements.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of outdoor education for (a) children’s access to outdoor learning opportunities and (b) the development of skills; and the (i) adequacy and (ii) sustainability of the funding for outdoor education.

All children and young people should have the opportunity to learn about and connect with nature.Spending time in, and connecting with, nature has been linked with improved mental and physical health outcomes for children and young people. The most consistent findings point to improved resilience, decreased stress, increased levels of physical activity, and lower levels of obesity. Outdoor education specifically is also linked to improved motivation, social capital, and sense of belonging in school.The department is supporting a 12-month project (running from July 2024 to June 2025) led by researchers at the University of Oxford. The project will assess the evidence of nature-based programmes for mental health and wellbeing in young people, delivered through schools. Evidence will help the department understand the value of nature for mental health in the school environment. We expect to receive outputs, including a peer reviewed paper and policy brief, in summer 2025. More information about the project can be found here: https://www.agile-initiative.ox.ac.uk/sprints/is-nature-a-policy-solution-to-mental-health-in-schools/.Through the National Education Nature Park initiative, children and young people have exciting opportunities to participate in low or no cost outdoor education within the boundaries of their education setting.Participating children and young people will also develop their scientific, analytical and digital mapping skills. This will allow them to build careers and access jobs that require a knowledge of sustainability and climate change to support the transition to net zero and nature’s recovery.The department announced £15 million of capital funding over the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years as part of the roll out of the National Education Nature Park. This funding is available to support settings and young people that need the most help in accessing nature.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has for the future of community involvement schemes following the closure of the Community Ownership Fund.

This Government remains committed to the communities’ sector and to community empowerment.The Devolution White Paper, which was published on 16 December 2024, set out plans which demonstrate our commitment and there will be further announcements relating to communities this year, including on the community ownership of assets.

Whether he is having discussions with Royal Mail on (a) instances of repeat error charges and (b) the effectiveness of its complaints processes, in the context of the universal service obligation.

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. However operational issues such as error charges and complaints procedures are a matter for Royal Mail as an independent business, with the delivery of the universal service obligation overseen by Ofcom as the independent regulator.Following its 2022 review of the regulatory framework for post, Ofcom issued new guidance which took effect from 1 April 2023 on improving complaints handling processes to ensure postal operators’ compliance with their existing regulatory obligations. Ofcom has committed to ongoing monitoring of the new provisions. Further information on Ofcom’s findings in its review are available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/postal-regulation-review.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the wastewater licence at Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works in Southampton.

The adequacy of the Environmental Permit at Portswood Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in Southampton has been assessed through various modelling investigations and regulatory reviews. These have resulted in several improvements at Portswood including th...

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that there is adequate (a) funding and (b) support for (i) forensic investigation teams and (ii) coroner services to help minimise delays.

It is important that the death investigation process is as swift and efficient as possible to avoid additional distress for bereaved families at such a difficult time in their lives.Whilst the Ministry of Justice is responsible for coroner law and policy,...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the maximum number of months for which the Bereavement Support Payment can be paid beyond the existing cap of 18 monthly payments.

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) helps people through the immediate period following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 monthly instalments. Where longer-term financial support is needed, benefits such as Universal Credit ha...

What her planned timeline is for the implementation of steps to transition toward restorative justice is; and what the key milestones toward this will be.

Restorative justice can, when delivered in the right circumstances, improve victim satisfaction and reduce reoffending. This not only benefits the victims and the offender but also their community.That is why, under the Code of Practice for Victims of Cri...

When she plans to publish an action plan for imprisonment for public protection sentences.

I am pleased to announce that on 15 November, the Lord Chancellor laid the first IPP Annual Report and a newly updated IPP Action Plan before Parliament. The Report and Plan can be accessed using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of lifeguard numbers on UK beaches; and whether he plans to improve beach safety.

We have made no such assessment. However, the responsibility for lifeguards on beaches is usually a matter for local authorities or private beach owners.

If he will make an assessment of the potential feasibility of extending free prescriptions to care leavers aged 18 to 25.

There are no current plans to make an assessment of the feasibility of extending free prescriptions to care leavers aged 18 to 25 years old.

Whether she is taking steps to reduce the cost to local authorities of home-to-school transport.

The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Local authorities must arrange free home-to-school travel for children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest...

If he will implement a national breast cancer screening awareness campaign to encourage people to attend appointments.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme has high levels of activity, however NHS England has advised that some women are simply not coming forward for screening. To address this, NHS England is carrying out research into the best approaches to target specific ...

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) social and (b) council housebuilding projects in Southampton are not delayed due to financial infeasibility.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 10272 on 28 October 2024.

Whether she plans to review the eligibility criteria for legal aid.

This Government fully recognises that access to legal aid is central to helping those individuals who are unable to afford legal services to resolve their legal issues – provided it is in scope and meets the merits test. We are giving careful consideratio...

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help reduce the number of (a) social and (b) council housebuilding projects in Southampton which are delayed due to financial infeasibility.

The Government has committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.On 30 July we announced a number of changes in planning policy designed to support the delivery of affordable homes and also confirmed a...

What steps she is taking to tackle the (a) availability of illegal substances for sale via online platforms and (b) purchase of those substances by young people who subsequently die by suicide.

I am grateful for the Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue, and highlighting the dangers posed by the availability of illegal substances in online marketplaces, and the tragic consequences that can result from their purchase and consumption, bo...

What steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for visa applications.

We are seeking to ensure visa applications are processed as quickly as possible. Customer service standards exist for all types of visa applications, however the time taken to process a visa application may take longer under certain circumstances such as ...

What steps she is taking to (a) support families of young people who die by suicide after taking illegal substances bought online and (b) raise awareness in schools and communities of this risk.

I am grateful for the Hon. Gentleman for raising this important issue, and highlighting the dangers posed by the availability of illegal substances in online marketplaces, and the tragic consequences that can result from their purchase and consumption, bo...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing large-scale battery storage within the Port of Southampton area.

This Government recognises that batteries have a key role to play in decarbonising the power sector by 2030 by balancing the electricity system and facilitating the integration of renewable power. The Government does not intend to commission an assessment...